Heat and light over incandescent bulb ban

Many people hate fluorescents almost as much as they hate the government messing with their light fixtures. (Getty photo)

Four years ago, Congress had the not-so-bright idea to tell Americans what kind of light bulbs they could buy.

The familiar incandescent bulbs, which give off more heat than light, will be phased out beginning in January under new efficiency standards contained in the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007.

This will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and, we are assured, save us lots of money. Compact fluorescent bulbs, the most widely available substitute for incandescents, use 75 percent less energy and last up to 10 times longer. Good for the planet, good for the pocketbook.

So why are so many people filling their basements with boxes of 100-watt globes? Because they hate fluorescents almost as much as they hate the government messing with their light fixtures.

Fluorescent bulbs look like a mound of Dairy Queen soft-serve; they cast a harsh and unforgiving light; and they cost at least three times as much up front. They take so long to warm up that many people leave them on all the time — so much for saving energy — and they don't work with dimmers.

They also contain mercury. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's website says this isn't a big deal, but its instructions on proper disposal (or what to do if you break a bulb in your home) leave a different impression.

All of this explains why 75 percent of bulbs used in U.S. homes today are incandescents, and why so many Americans are annoyed that Congress decided to legislate those bulbs away. Responding to the backlash, supporters of the bulb ban insist it's not a ban at all: No one is saying you can't use the old bulbs in your home. You just won't be able to buy them. It's a dim argument, and they know it.

Texas lawmakers recently flipped the switch on the ban, passing a bill that exempts incandescents made and sold in Texas from the federal law.

U.S. Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, has introduced a bill to repeal the federal ban. Similar bills have been sponsored by Rep. Michele Bachmann, R-Minn., and by Sen. Michael Enzi, R-Wyo. House Energy and Commerce Committee Chairman Fred Upton, R-Mich., who helped pass the ban, says he has second thoughts. He's under pressure to hold hearings about reversing it.

The incandescent bulb, meanwhile, has become a beacon against government overreaching. And that's too bad, because it really needs to go. The energy and money savings are indeed significant, and government offices have been leading the switch. Taxpayers appreciate the savings, and nobody complains if the light at the Recorder of Deeds isn't flattering.

Environmentalists have promoted the cause, appealing to our green sympathies. Big retailers including Wal-Mart got on board, making the bulbs cheaper and more widely available. The onus was squarely on manufacturers: Make those bulbs more attractive and affordable, and Americans will do the light thing. Passing a law instead was a real turnoff.

Forget the jokes about how many lawmakers it takes to change a light bulb. How many does it take to change it back?